How many more years of deer hunting do you have left?

[BSK]

For many of us who started when we were young, deer hunting is part of our lives. Some of us are so focused on it that it is the central part of our lives. But how often do we actually factor in how long we will be able to physically participate in this passion? Recently, with family members beginning to pass away from age-related issues, the hunting segment of my family began discussing how long are we going to be able to keep doing this. It was a sobering and somewhat depressing series of conversations. I'm the youngest of my family's "hunting generation" and I'm 60. I've been deer hunting since I was 17. How much longer am I going to be able to climb into a ladder stand? How much longer am I going to be able to move ladder stands? Will I be climbing into stands when I'm 85? Probably not. What have I got left in the hunting tank, maybe 15 to 20 years? That has caused us to reevaluate how we manage our hunting land.

So how many years do you think you have left in your deer hunting tank? Will you try to extend those years a little longer by changing how or where you hunt?

 

[Lost Lake]

That's a question that I've been pondering for a couple of years now, as I watch a good friend struggle with crippling neuropathy in his feet. I know how that's affected him.

I'm 53, still nimble enough to hunt like I did at 20 and don't plan on changing my hunting style unless I have to. Unless I lose heart, I hope to be able to physically go at it til I don't wake up one day. I'm hoping for at least 25 more years. Honestly, I worry far more about having places to hunt in the future than having the mind, body, and spirit to do so.

 

[peytoncreekhunter]

I'm 60 also, but I've quit climbing stands and ladder stands. I probably still could use them but getting older and lazier has snuck up on me.

But I still kill deer every year so I'm happy where I'm at in life.

 

[Specializedjon]

I'm 52 and have thought about this too. Some days I feel 25 again and I'm out cutting trees and working on the property, then I wake up the next day and I feel 85. I hope the body keeps me in wood another 25ish years. I think by then I'll get the same "buzz" hunting with the grandkids. God willing.

Good post BSK.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

As many as I can. I'll soon be 56, ant I hunt some ladders on occasion, but lately I've been hunting box stands more and more. I'm thinking I may build another one over the summer in the hopes that my grand daughter(and either son in law or daughter) will go with me this fall, just for a walk along and watch. She just turned 5.

 

[DMD]

I ponder this question myself. I'm 57 years old, but probably in the best shape of my life. Part of my reason for working to get in better shape was my desire to deer hunt as I like to for as long as possible. I'm still able to carry a climbing stand and all my crap strapped to it through the mountains of East TN. My desire has waned some - I pretty much limit myself to hunting end of October through end of November. I do have more aches and pains than when I was younger, but can pretty much do anything I could do in my 20's. But, for how long? I don't know. My deer hunting partner went with my steadily until he was about 82 years old. The last couple years he hasn't hunted. That has taken some of the wind out of my sails. I've always hunted alone quite a bit, but really enjoyed when we hunted together. And swapping stories, and scouting places together. I hope I can keep hunting until 82 as he did.

 

[rifle02]

Just turned 70 last fall and deliberately made changes. I left the climbers at the house. I've used them handily up until last year and still could but I know I won't be able to forever. So I declared a cutoff. This year I used ladders for the first time with success! I'll admit that I needed help and still it was difficult getting them set up. I also invested in a raised platform with a blind on it. It was nice. Hunting has been my thing since I was 14 years old. I'll go until I totally run out of steam.

 

[RUGER]

I am 55 and I quit about 5 years ago.
Between mobility issues and loss of land to hunt it just wasn't worth it anymore to me.
Replaced it with duck hunting, strictly to spend time with my son.
If he went back to deer hunting I would too.

 

[Remington700]

I have many years left. I have watched my fathers interest dwindle over the last several years. He just turned 69 and has not gone one time this year. I think he just goes to spend time with me. Also, if one of my kids cant go he does not want me in the woods alone. All he says is once you pull the trigger all the work begins.

 

[Cull Buck Hunter]

Almost 49 and never had any issues until I took a COVID booster so I could travel and my knees swelled up making it very difficult to work or walk, this lasted about 6 months,thank God most of the problems have resolved. Hunting helps to keep me fit, I hunt South Cherokee primarily and it is tough sledding, I have no plans of stopping just packing lighter and less 2 mile drags.

 

[Pilchard]

I forget where I read this but it stuck with me. If you see some family members just once every couple years, if they live another 20 years, you'll only see them 10 more times before they pass.... It made me prioritize seeing family more.

Now apply that same logic to deer hunting as you age and it starts to set in that the number of days you sit down in the woods is limited.

This past year my grandfather joined me in the woods and it was something I will never forget. I hope he is here in November for us to do it again but his hunting days are numbered.

 

[gatodoc]

I didn't start deer hunting until later in life. I was about 60 when I started. I'm 71 now. I decided this past hunting season to stay on the ground or hunt houses with steps not ladders. I'm blessed in that I've got a prime farm to hunt in west TN, a fun lease to hunt 30 min away, and a great property to hunt in Southern AL. I've got all set up with sportsmans condos and all have good comfortable chairs and heaters. I'm sure I dont see as many potential trophy deer as I might with more aggressive efforts but I am hunting in comfort and enjoying it.

I've got 8 in the freezer this year (planning on 25# summer sausage 25# deer balogna and a lot of jerky) so I killed a few more than normal but I had no trouble getting all I wanted while hunting comfortably.

I guess I'll hunt until I die or become too physically or mentally incapacitated to continue. I'll just hunt comfortably with less effort.

 

[Wrangler95]

First off I'd like to say that God is the most important thing in my life but hunting and sports behind God is all I do and think about.I'm 68 now and started hunting in 1967.I still climb into my ladder stands each year but sold all my climbing stands 2 years ago,not because I was afraid to climb but the trouble involved in climbing a tree!I think the only thing to stop me from hunting would be if I could no longer walk to a stand or shooting house!I have a open window in the back of my garage with a shooting rest and sand bags that I even use now,so if I can make it to the garage I will hunt!

 

[bigtex]

I'll be 73 in a couple of months. I plan on hunting as long as I can. I'm to the point where I can't use a climber anymore and even getting into a lockon is challenging.
I am trying to look into the future and making some of my favorite spots more accessible and by using ladder stands and shooting houses.
I do miss not being as "mobile" when using a climber though. At least with a climber adjustments can be made easier whereas your pretty much stuck in the same spot with a ladder stand and certainly not going to move a shooting house without a lot of effort.
When the time comes when I can no longer climb up and down these steep hollers and ridges i'm still going to hunt but it may be "hunting" out the upstairs window.

 

[MrJim43]

79 and the urge is just not there like it was. Was doing good till this pass summer. Have had bad back problems for years but just kept going until now. Heart issue the last 6 month have put me down some. I will try to turkey hunt this year if possible. My walking day are about over legs just want carry the body like it used too. Have not given up totally as of yet but getting closer every day. Its been fun and had many a great day and still a few more to come maybe ????

 

[Falconi]

I'm 62 and moved to Tennessee a few months ago. This was my first year hunting my own property. That's my only goal: hunt my own land. I'm going to build a couple of shooting houses on my little place so I can be comfortable and hopefully put more time in the stand. Given that, I'm sure I could go another 15 years.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Will depend on a couple factors. At 53, I would like to get at least 15 to 20 more years depending on my health. With my family history with heart issues, I will be thankful just to make it into my 70's. The other factor is CWD and whether or not we will have deer to hunt. If I have no deer on my farm, that would make it tough.

 

[tellico4x4]

Until I die or become incapacitated. Have told my family many times that when God calls me home I hope someone has to cut my safety harness & lower me to the ground . Actually started planning for this period 20 years ago when I formed my hunting club. Have got 3 buddies that I wanted a place that we could go to as long as we wanted. We've been blessed to have hunted & fished together from FL to AK for past 40+ years. Now we range in age from 66-71 and our golden years have arrived. We've worked hard to get our camp established & comfortable campers setup for each of us. That way we don't have to listen to each other's snoring, getting up 6 times to pee or sleeping in if we want. One thing that we've done at camp when it comes to work, is to setup dedicated teams to handle specific to tasks. We've got stand teams, plot teams, shooting house teams, etc ... Everyone knows what is expected each year & has a deadline to meet. Work can be done when convenient for each team which really helps with logistics as some of members live 10 hrs away.

One thing I am having to re-evaluate is my western hunts. This past season in SD really opened my eyes on what my limit has become. Even though we were only at 3,300ft in elevation, snow was knee deep and really kicked my butt. Hunted elk 4 years ago at 10k feet in a wilderness camp and made it okay, but noticed a huge drop in my stamina on this SD hunt...

Sitting on a bunch of WY preference points for elk/deer/antelope for myself & two grandsons and beginning to wonder if I can really pull off 3 more western diy hunts.

 

[Bone Collector]

I too think about this all the time. I too started when I was 17. I turn 47 next month. My wife asked me the same question a few weeks ago. I told her I know guys hunting into their 70s but I also know they don't hunt nearly as much and they hunt differently. That is to say the might climb up in a ladder stand with a safety rope but usually it is a ground blind, shooting house or some sort of chair.
I think if we adjust our hunting methods to listen to what our bodies are telling us, we can hunt longer than we think. Of course what equipment we have available and who is available to help us will determine if we are actually hunting or nature watching. I think by that age I will be fine either way.

 

[TheLBLman]

Might as well be asking how long before you expect to go into a nursing home or die?

Until I die or become incapacitated. Have told my family many times that when God calls me home I hope someone has to cut my safety harness & lower me to the ground

x 2

Personally, I don't find it that "hard" to use a climbing tree stand.
Must be a lack of experience with many who think it's physically hard to do.

Some other ways can be "easier".
But placing a ladder stand is not.

Have also seen some store-bought box stands
that I thought getting into was harder than climbing a tree.

As long as you can walk & sit, you should have the physical ability to deer hunt from a ground blind?